dELiA*s, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2012 Results

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- dELiA*s, Inc. (NASDAQ:DLIA), a multi-channel retail company comprised of two lifestyle brands primarily targeting teenage girls and young women, today announced the results for its third quarter of fiscal 2012.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Highlights:

Total revenue decreased 4.0% to $55.7 million from $58.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Revenue from the retail segment decreased 2.8% to $35.2 million, due to a reduction in store count, partially offset by a comparable store sales increase of 2.4%. Revenue from the direct segment decreased 6.1% to $20.6 million on a catalog circulation decrease of 14.4%.

Consolidated gross margin increased to 33.9% compared to 32.3% in the prior year quarter.

Net loss was $2.0 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 was $4.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share.

Walter Killough, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We achieved our third consecutive quarter of positive comparable store sales and merchandise margin improvement for the retail segment. While we were pleased with the results of our back-to-school season, our sales trends slowed in late September and October. Hurricane Sandy also had a significant effect on both segments of our business during the first week of the new quarter, although we expect its impact on our overall fourth quarter results to be minimal. Subsequent to the storm, sales trends improved, and we have been pleased with the strong response to our Holiday assortment in both our dELiA*s retail and direct businesses. We believe that we are well-positioned with compelling merchandise, timely inventory flow and a strong marketing program in place, and remain on track to deliver improved sales and margins as we continue to execute on our strategic initiatives."

Results by Segment

Retail Segment Results

Total revenue for the retail segment for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased 2.8% to $35.2 million from $36.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 due to a reduction in store count. Retail comparable store sales increased 2.4% for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to a decrease of 1.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

Gross margin for the retail segment, which includes distribution, occupancy and merchandising costs, was 29.7% for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to 26.0% in the prior year period. The increase in gross margin resulted primarily from higher merchandise margins, driven by increased full price selling and fewer markdowns, and the leveraging of reduced occupancy costs.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the retail segment were $11.6 million, or 33.1% of sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to $12.1 million, or 33.5% of sales, in the prior year period. The decrease in SG&A expenses in dollars resulted from reduced selling and depreciation expenses.

The operating loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 for the retail segment was $1.0 million compared to $2.7 million in the prior year period. Included in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were store closing costs of $0.5 million.

The Company closed two stores during the third quarter of fiscal 2012, ending the period with 107 stores.

Direct Segment Results

Total revenue for the direct segment for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 decreased 6.1% to $20.6 million from $21.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Catalog circulation was reduced by 14.4% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

Gross margin for the direct segment was 41.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to 42.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. The decrease in gross margin resulted primarily from higher shipping and handling costs partially offset by higher merchandise margins.

SG&A expenses for the direct segment were $10.9 million, or 53.2% of sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to $10.9 million, or 50.0% of sales, in the prior year period. The increase in SG&A expenses as a percent of sales reflects the deleveraging of selling, overhead and depreciation expenses.

Operating loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 for the direct segment was $0.8 million as compared to $1.5 million in the prior year period. Included in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was incremental gift card breakage income of $1.6 million.

Balance Sheet Highlights

At the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2012, cash and cash equivalents were $5.9 million compared with $15.8 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

Total net inventories at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2012 were $38.8 million compared with $41.7 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2011. Inventory per average retail store was down 11.2% compared to the prior year period, and inventory for the direct segment was up 2.6% compared to the prior year.

First Nine Month Results

For the nine-month period ended October 27, 2012, total revenue increased 3.2% to $156.5 million from $151.6 million for the prior year period. Total gross margin was 33.5% compared to 31.1% for the prior year period. SG&A expenses were $65.6 million, or 41.9% of sales, for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, compared to $66.4 million, or 43.8% of sales, for the prior year period.

The operating loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 decreased to $10.3 million, compared to $19.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2011.

Net loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 decreased to $10.9 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $18.5 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2011. Included in the first nine months of fiscal 2012 is gift card breakage of $2.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, compared to $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in first nine months of fiscal 2011.

The provision for income taxes for first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $0.1 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.9 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, for first nine months of fiscal 2011.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

A conference call to discuss third quarter 2012 results is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. Eastern Time. The conference call will be webcast live at www.deliasinc.com. A replay of the call will be available until December 20, 2012 and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 and providing the pass code number 7021640.

During the conference call, the Company may discuss and answer questions concerning business and financial developments and trends. The Company's responses to questions, as well as other matters discussed during the conference call, may contain or constitute information that has not been disclosed previously.

About dELiA*s, Inc.

dELiA*s, Inc. is a multi-channel retail company comprised of two lifestyle brands primarily targeting teenage girls and young women. Its brands - dELiA*s and Alloy - generate revenue by selling apparel, accessories and footwear to consumers through direct mail catalogs, websites, and dELiA*s mall-based retail stores.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding our expectations and beliefs regarding our future results or performance. Because these statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties. When used in this announcement, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "expectation", "should", "would", "project", "plan", "predict", "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additionally, you should not consider past results to be an indication of our future performance. For a discussion of risk factors that may affect our results, see the "Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results" section of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. We do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this announcement to conform these statements to actual results, to changes in management's expectations or otherwise, except as may be required by law.